A database is a collection of structured information. Typically, it is controlled by a database management system (DBMS), which organizes the data and associated applications. Common types of databases are modeled as tables or rows. Data stored in databases is easily managed and accessed using a structured query language. As the amount of data grows, so does the variety of database types. By establishing a centralized database, organizations can store all of their data in a centralized location.

Data is often stored in silos, limiting users’ access to them. They may be reliant on incomplete or inaccurate data in their analysis, or may even create their own datasets. In such cases, data catalogs provide a single, unified view of all data assets and enable users to perform a variety of queries and tasks. They also offer a search-engine-like interface, allowing them to query any data asset to retrieve the data they need. Data catalogs may also provide APIs, which allow users to easily extract the data they need.

Another key benefit of data catalogs is their ability to track data assets. The methods of creating a data catalog can include graph analytics algorithms, analyzing data lineage, and producing informative summaries. In the end, data catalogs can help organizations improve efficiency and effectiveness, and secure their data. While these benefits may be obvious, many organizations are still struggling to recognize the value of metadata and cataloging. With data unification and collaboration becoming critical success factors, it’s important to understand the benefits of these tools.